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District reports gains in ELA and math after state cut-score changes; some schools' designations shift
Summary
Assistant Superintendent Michelle Martin reported recalculated IAR/Science results under old cut scores to measure year-over-year growth: several grade levels showed increases in met/exceed rates and district schools saw designation changes (Thomas to Commendable; CMS to Comprehensive).
The board received a presentation on Illinois state assessments and district academic indicators from Assistant Superintendent Michelle Martin.
Martin explained that the Illinois State Board of Education revised proficiency cut scores for ELA, Math and Science and reduced proficiency levels from five to four; because of those changes Martin recalculated ELA and Math proficiency using the old cut scores to allow year-over-year comparisons. She reported measurable gains in several grades: 3rd grade ELA showed a 2% increase in met/exceed and a 9% decrease in students who did not meet; 6th and 7th grade ELA showed 8% increases in met/exceed and corresponding decreases in did-not-meet rates; in math, 4th grade saw a 1% increase in met/exceed while 6th and 7th grade showed 3% increases in met/exceed. Martin also described school-level summative designations: Parrish narrowly missed moving to Targeted by one-quarter of a point; Thomas moved from Comprehensive to Commendable; Lewis remains Targeted with identified student groups below the cut score (Children with Disabilities, Low Income and Two or More Races); Carbondale Middle School moved to Comprehensive despite indicator improvements, in part due to changes to science cut scores.
Martin said the district will use these data to focus professional development and targeted interventions and highlighted the district’s investments in accelerated and LETRS/ASPIRE training for teachers.
